Fans fill Alamo Stadium to watch the start of the 4A 4x200 meter relay at the 2011 Region IV Track & Field Meet at Alamo Stadium on Tuesday, May 3, 2011.

Fans fill Alamo Stadium to watch the start of the 4A 4x200 meter relay at the 2011 Region IV Track & Field Meet at Alamo Stadium on Tuesday, May 3, 2011.

Photo: Kin Man Hui/kmhui@express-news.net

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An Alamo Heights runner launches for the start block to start the 4A 4x200 meter relay at the 2011 Region IV Track & Field Meet at Alamo Stadium on Tuesday, May 3, 2011.

An Alamo Heights runner launches for the start block to start the 4A 4x200 meter relay at the 2011 Region IV Track & Field Meet at Alamo Stadium on Tuesday, May 3, 2011.

Photo: Kin Man Hui/kmhui@express-news.net

Clemens, Canyon win first Region IV-4A titles

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When Andrew Tate moved from Houston to Schertz in the fall, he wasn't sure if he'd like his new surroundings at Clemens. After his performance at the Region IV-4A track meet Tuesday at Alamo Stadium, he made up his mind.

“I didn't think it was going to be when I got here, but it's been a good move,” the junior said. “I'm going to state now.”

Tate won the 400-meter dash and helped the Buffaloes win their first regional championship in school history. The gold medal was extra special to Tate, who spent his sophomore season on the junior varsity at track powerhouse Fort Bend Hightower.

“I'm so happy right now, I don't know what to do. The first thing I've got to do is call my mom,” Tate said. “I did it for my coach, too, because it's been 27 years since they've had a 400 runner go to state.”

That runner? His coach, David Voos, who took sixth at state in 1983 and has coached track at Clemens for 20 years. The Buffaloes will also send their 400 and 800 relay teams to Austin.

Clemens edged Boerne Champion 68-62 for the team championship.

“We've been close a couple times, but it's just always been something,” Voos said. “I've had more talented groups than this group, but these guys just came through. It ain't fancy, they just get the job done.”

“It's a tradition that's kind of been passed down each year as younger guys come up,” said Barclay, who will run cross country at Texas A&M but hasn't run track for two years because of injuries. “We've got a great coach and a good group of guys.”

New Braunfels Canyon also made history by winning its first girls team championship. The Cougarettes took second in the mile relay, anchored by senior Britney Carter. She also placed second in the 400.

“Normally I would be really excited, but I have asthma, so I was bent over,” she said. “When he brought me my (second-place) card, all I could think was, ‘Oh, thank God' while puffing on my inhaler.”